Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Rodney Williams (33) smiles after getting charged with a foul against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Williams Arena, in Minneapolis, Minnesota(Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Gophers senior forward Rodney Williams’ injured left shoulder has improved “100 percent” since he was held scoreless in eight minutes of play in the 71-45 loss at Ohio State on Wednesday, Feb. 20, according to coach Tubby Smith.

“It’s getting a lot better,” Smith said on the Big Ten conference call Monday, Feb. 25. “He’s had those days to get better. You saw what I saw in the Ohio State game. He just didn’t have it. He was protecting that shoulder. He played eight minutes and had a tough time.”

The 6-foot-7 co-captain averages 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds a game for the Gophers (18-9, 6-8 Big Ten) this season. But Smith said sophomore Elliott Eliason could start for Williams on Tuesday against No. 1 Indiana (24-3, 12-2) at Williams Arena.

“I think Rodney is ready to go, but I’m just worried about his conditioning now,” Smith said. “We’ll see how it goes tomorrow. We may do that. We may start Elliott.”

Williams, who has been nursing a sore left shoulder for two weeks, has had back-to-back scoreless games, including in Minnesota’s 72-51 loss Feb. 17 at Iowa.

“We’ve tried to keep him out of as much contact as we can,” Smith said. “Now he’s using that arm. He wasn’t using his left arm at all, but he’s using it more. I’m happy that he’s better and he’s healthier.”

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